The Tampa Bay Rays have jumped into the mix for a Cuban infielder that is expected to sign with an MLB team in the coming weeks. The team also received good news about one of their starting pitchers who missed most of last season.
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Cuban defector Yoan Moncada conducted a private workout for the Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. The team also attended his showcase back in November in Guatemala, which is where he established residency earlier in the offseason in hopes of getting clearance by the U.S. government to pursue an MLB contract.
Moncada is regarded as one of the top prospects in Cuba. The 19-year-old is said to have an excellent set of skills for a switch-hitting middle infielder. Earlier this month it was reported the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were the favorites to sign him, but since it's taking longer for him to get clearance from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, it's likely a number of other teams will explore signing him.
"The Rays most likely can't afford to sign Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, but they took at him Wednesday during a private workout at the Trop anyway," writes Topkin. "Moncada showed impressive power in front of a group of team officials, inlcluding baseball operations president Matt Silverman."
Moncada is expected to land a contract in the $30 million to $40 million range.
That's not the only potential good news the Rays received this week. Starting pitcher Matt Moore threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. The left-hander made only two starts last season before hitting the disabled list after it was anticipated he would have a big season following his 2013 campaign (17-4 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 27 starts).
"[Matt] Moore reached the next significant milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery Tuesday, throwing off the mound for the first time," Topkin reported. "Moore made 15 throws from about halfway up the bullpen mound at the Trop and said it couldn't have gone better."
The 25-year-old is expected to re-join the Rays rotation at some point in June. He's owed $8 million over the next two seasons and carries team options for the 2017-2019 seasons.
